4-star WR Davion Brown decommits from Penn State

Richmond (Va.) Trinity Episcopal four-star wide receiver Davion “Fatrat” Brown has decommitted from Penn State following the firing of head coach James Franklin.

He was committed to the Nittany Lions since May 12, when he announced a surprise pledge to the Big Ten program. Michigan, Georgia and Virginia Tech were others pushing for him earlier this year.

Brown is the No. 208 overall prospect and No. 35 WR in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 player in Virginia.

Like many of the other top commits in PSU’s class prior to Franklin’s firing, the coaching staff played a pivotal role in Brown’s decision. He loved what he saw from the staff and the program, leading him to a commitment before official visit season in the summer.

“Penn State has a system I can see myself being a offensive weapon in and being able to make an impact in different spots on the field. The coaching staff are good people who wants the best for you there,” Brown previously told Rivals’ Chad Simmons.

With the early signing period less than two months out, Brown is now looking for a new home at the next level. He’s long been one of the top prospects in Virginia, regardless of class.

Brown joins three-star WR Lavar Keys as the first to decommit from Penn State’s 2026 class after the firing of Franklin. The Nittany Lions also lost three pledges in the 2027 class on Sunday, headlined by five-star running back Kemon Spell and elite four-star offensive tackle Layton von Brandt.

Penn State fires James Franklin

In the middle of his 12th season at the helm, Franklin saw his tenure end after a loss to Northwestern over the weekend.

Franklin leaves State College with a 104-45 record since 2014 when he took the job. He is 128-60 overall as a head coach, which includes his three-year stint at Vanderbilt (24-15). Terry Smith will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

A gut-wrenching overtime loss to Oregon on Sept. 27 has spiraled into a three-game skid for the Nittany Lions. They went to Los Angeles and lost to a then-winless UCLA team that had just fired its head coach. Northwestern then went to Beaver Stadium and stunned PSU 22-21 on Saturday, dropping the preseason No. 2 team in the nation to 0-3 in Big Ten play and 3-3 overall.

Entering Sunday, the Nittany Lions had 25 commits in their 2026 class that ranks No. 16 nationally, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Of those 25 commits, 11 are four-star prospects.

Rivals garnered reactions from Penn State commits as the former national title contender navigates what’s quickly turned into a nightmarish season.